Maybe it started with a breast augmentation. Then a little nip and tuck there. And then came the face lift. But you’re still not happy. Are you addicted to plastic surgery?
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good, and doing something about it. But, there is such a thing as going overboard when it comes to cosmetic surgery. So, how do you know the difference? Here are some reasons for concern.
If you got plastic surgery thinking it would fix your body image problems, that’s a red flag. Cosmetic surgery is not a permanent fix, and as you age, your appearance will continue to change. It’s important to understand, and accept this, when you have any type of procedure done.
Perhaps you were inspired by your favorite celebrity. That’s fine. But if you’re expecting to look just like this celeb, that’s not a good idea. Also, just because it looks good on a famous person you admire, doesn’t mean it will look good on you, or transform your life for the better.
For some people, the need for plastic surgery is more severe. They constantly obsess about their flaws and feel insecure over their appearance. In fact, their view of themselves is distorted and exaggerated. No amount of surgery makes them feel better. This chronic mental illness is known as dysmorhpic disorder. About 1 in 50 people have it. Research shows that up to 12 percent of patients who get plastic surgery suffer from this disorder.
With this in mind, there’s nothing wrong with getting more than one procedure if you’re doing it for the right reasons. Also, follow-up procedures are not uncommon. Sometimes touchups are required to keep up the benefits of your surgery. For example, you may have breast implants only to decide you want to go one size bigger.
The key is to be honest with your surgeon, communicate your goals, and listen to the feedback given to you by your doctor about your expectations.